When Marilyn Denis interviewed Stevie Nicks in 2001, it led to a deep friendship between the two.  During that chat, Stevie talked about Fleetwood Mac, her “coke & brandy days”, her Klonopin addiction, her friendship with Tom Petty and the best song she’s ever written.

          Tom couldn’t help but fawn over one of his favourite rock stars, Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, in a 2003 Chat.  Rob talks about his unusual childhood, the sudden success of M20, the Grammy-winning hit “Smooth” and the tragedy that led to the hit song “3 am”.  A very in-depth (but slightly embarrassing) conversation.

          We were absolutely thrilled to discover a 1980 interview with Lemmy and Philthy Phil from Motorhead in our archives!  They reveal their biggest influences (Joni Mitchell? huh!), how growing fame was affecting them and the very cool thing that happened to them the first time they walked into a bar in Canada!

          Plus, Tom and Christopher share some more Cool Song Facts – including the weird origin story of “Smoke On The Water”!

Steve Perry was none too pleased with his bandmates from Journey at the time of this 1994 interview. Tom asks Steve to describe the drama behind the scenes and Steve does, in painful detail.  Christopher describes his one and only (rather unusual) encounter with Steve.

Meanwhile from 2001, Jennifer Lopez talks to Marilyn Denis about her personal life, her music and the movie role that made her cry.

We also have a 2006 chat with Tom and Meatloaf, which is interrupted when Tom’s cell phone rings.  Meatloaf answers Tom’s phone – much to everyone’s surprise.  It’s a very funny moment.

And Christopher and Tom close out the show with some Cool Song Facts about Elton John, The Beatles, Elvis Costello and a Motown secretary who became a famous singer didn’t show up for work!

The irrepressible Lionel Richie is featured this week in a very engaging and energetic chat with Marilyn Denis from 2001. He talks about his favourite songs from his solo career and The Commodores – and his biggest regret.  Plus, we have Mick Jagger as you’ve never heard him – totally relaxed! Mick is in conversation with Roger Ashby from Eddy Grant’s studio in Barbados in 1986.  He talks about their upcoming album “Dirty Work” and reminisces about the infamous Stones visit to Toronto in 1977 that led to Keith Richards’ arrest.

          We also have a fantastic series of interview clips with Ray Davies of The Kinks as he talks about the meaning behind some of his band’s greatest hits.  Plus, a short chat with Tim Finn of Split Enz as he aims a very brotherly backhanded compliment at his brother Neil for writing their breakout hit “I Got You”. A jammed pack and very entertaining episode!

We have an entertaining collection of interview clips with The Police this week.  It’s Sting & Stewart Copeland at the height of their popularity… and arrogance.  Meanwhile, Tom defends the song “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” with a straight face!  Also, we feature a couple of ‘80s interviews with Bryan Ferry and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music.  And we talk to the legendary Canadian Buffy Sainte Marie who reveals that her biggest song secretly got her banned from American television for years. 

Phil Collins was one of the busiest, friendliest and most talented musicians of the ‘80s. He was also one of the most disrespected. We have a great early ‘80s interview with Phil to share with you this week – plus Tom & Christopher discuss his legacy.

We also have a wild interview with The Foo Fighters from 1997 that shows how rabid their fans are – and just what an amazing ambassador Dave Grohl is for rock and roll. We also continue with our look at some more great Canadian songs, including the long and winding story of “New Orleans Is Sinking” by the Tragically Hip!

In one of the most raucous interviews in our collection, The Bee Gees have a ton of fun with Marilyn Denis in one of their final full-length interviews from 2001. Barry, Robin and Maurice talk about the moment they first harmonized with each other, the legacy of Saturday Night Fever, their late brother Andy Gibb and what annoys their partners most (Maurice has the best answer!).  Also, we’ll continue with more Great Canadian songs: Eddie Schwartz talks about writing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.  And Arnold Lanni tells the incredible story of how Sheriff’s “When I’m With You” went to number one in the U.S. 4 years AFTER the band had broken up!

Burton Cummings & Randy Bachman reflect on “American Woman” 50 years after it reached #1 for The Guess Who! Gordon Lightfoot writes a classic that is so good, another songwriter "borrows" from it! Kim Mitchell explains what “Go For Soda” is REALLY about (and no, it's not about drunk driving), Gino Vannelli talks about the deeper meaning behind “Black Cars” and Grammy & Juno winner Alessia Cara tells us why her big hit “Wild Things” has the most meaning to her. Also – how a Rod Stewart song completely changed the life of a Canadian songwriter and why the Beach Boys turned down a song that ended up selling more than 10 million copies for a singer from Winnipeg.  Plus, on a hilarious episode of When Rock Stars Attack – Myles Goodwin of April Wine takes on the city of Toronto! 

We kick off Season 5 with a special Canada Day episode!  It’s the stories behind some of the biggest Canadian hits of all time – told by the artists themselves. Geddy Lee of Rush explains how Neil Peart changed a song called “Louie The Warrior” into "Tom Sawyer". Tom Cochrane witnesses tragedy and writes his most celebratory song. Carly Rae Jepsen talks about (and sings) "Call Me Maybe". Ed Robertson explains why the biggest hit by Barenaked Ladies was pretty much an accident. We also find out the stories behind the Canadian classics “Takin’ Care Of Business”, “Echo Beach” and “Oh What A Feeling”. And how Shawn Mendes dug deep for a song about mental illness that came from a very personal place.  Plus, Tom asks co-host Christopher Ward about writing one of the biggest Canadian rock hits of all time.  

Upon hearing the news of Little Richard's passing, we honour his life and career with some classic interview clips of Richard talking about his humble beginnings.  He also talks about how "Tutti Frutti" came to be.  Plus, we have Christopher's lively conversation with Little Richard from the late '80s.  

50 years ago today, “American Woman” went to #1 on the Billboard charts – a first for a Canadian rock band. In two new interviews, we speak to Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman about the song’s creation and its meaning. As you might expect, Burton and Randy agree on some details, but disagree on many others.  Even the politics of the song in the era of Vietnam and Nixon is up for lively debate.

   We also talk to Randy and Burton about their years apart and what brought them together again last year.  And you’ll also hear the moment in which Burton does NOT like the direction of our interview!  

   It’s a wildly entertaining and informative chat about one of the greatest songs in Canadian history – with two of this country’s most iconic artists.